Rukia stared ahead of her, taking in the sight that was the Seireitei.

It was where she belonged and hers to defend as a proud lieutenant of the Gotei Thirteen.

Though it seemed rather strange that the sentiment dawned on her at the place of her foiled execution.

Grave misunderstandings and lapses aside, she had already forgiven, forgotten and moved on - enjoying her regained life as a Shinigami with her brother, her best friend, and her comrades.

Sure, a few wars in her and Soul Society's inhabitants' otherwise routine and mundane lives may have been something they all could have done without, but it was because of the chaos and turmoil that relationships and bonds grew stronger.

They all had their thoughts and experiences to reflect on: things that needed to be said and done were what it was about days, weeks, even months after the last, possibly most devastating and crippling conflict the afterlife has ever had.

She did not exempt herself from this... activity.

No one did.

Not the usually serious Captain of the Tenth.

Not the usually indifferent Captain of the Sixth.

Not even the usually aggressive Captain of the Eleventh.

So when it came to her own realizations, her resolve to fulfil them was ironclad.

One of her hands unwittingly clutched the cloth above her heart.

Her heart.

It ached at the memory of what she had done over a month ago.

She was so caught up in her musings that didn't have the time to struggle or scream when she was suddenly grabbed then carried upwards at blinding speed.

The unwanted ride ended as quickly as it began and Rukia found herself ungracefully dropped onto her feet on the top beam of the execution stand.

Readying herself for a fight, she hastily composed herself and turned to get a good look at her abductor.

"I-Ichigo?!"


Author's Note: I didn't notice that this story has been left hanging for over a month now... sorry about that. Just a short something to let you know that I'm still working on this.

Ichigo and Rukia will have their happy beginning soon, I promise.